Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir
Country: USA Region: Sonoma Coast
Varietal: Pinot Noir Vintage: 2023
Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Au Bon Climat
u Bon Climat winery was totally devoted to making classic, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara County. The convergence of cool, brisk Pacific air, marine-based soils, and east-west running valleys of the area provided an ideal place for growing exceptional grapes. Hence the name “Au Bon Climat,” the French idiom for “good place”.
Forty years later, the wines have earned a world-class reputation internationally. Jim Clendenen, “The Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat, set the objective and stayed true to its course. As the fads in California winemaking have come and gone, Au Bon Climat has maintained a laser focus in producing traditional, site-specific, nuanced, iconic wines.
Winemaker Notes
This wine is a handcrafted blend from premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County. The majority of the blend comes from the Santa Maria Valley, featuring Bien Nacido, North Canyon, and Rancho Real vineyards, with a small percentage sourced from Kick On and Los Alamos Vineyard in the Los Alamos area. Our winemaking process has remained consistent for 40 years, focusing on traditional, time-proven techniques. We hand harvest, ferment in small lots, perform daily manual punch downs, and age in François Frères French oak barrels for 8-12 months. This small barrel aging imparts depth and complexity to our Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes
This wine is a trademark of pinot's coming from Santa Barbara County with classic fruit aromas followed by an earthy depth. Aromas of red currant, blueberry, and blood orange greet the nose, followed by subtle hints of bay leaf, white pepper, and wet stone. The palate is well-balanced, with just the right amount of tannin and acid, resulting in superb structure and a delightful mouthfeel.
Food Pairing
Like all Au Bon Climat wines, this is a food wine. In its youth, match this wine with lamb or lighter meats. After a few years, as the flavours coalesce, it will pair better with salmon or mild red sauce with pasta. We have enjoyed this wine with many food choices from spicy Indian dishes to all-American sandwiches, and the wine worked well with most anything. The possible food pairings are almost endless.
